OOP Links

Trainees must inform their training programme director (TPD) of any interest in an OOP that is currently available for recruitment.

Trainees should inform their TPD as early as possible of the proposed start date of the OOP.

Note that GMC approval is required if OOPT or OOPR time is desired to be counted towards training.

The requirement is now for submission of application at least 6 months in advance of OOP start date as recommended in the Gold Guide.

Please submit an initial application form with information you have at hand to show intention of taking an OOP. In recognition that full details and documentation regarding the OOP may not be available at this stage, we are expecting trainees to submit full supporting documentation 3 months prior to OOP start date.

For OOPC and OOPE, you only need complete the London Deanery application form & checklist.

For OOPT and OOPR, you must complete BOTH College & Deanery application forms. See point 3 below

2 Recruitment to an OOP/Clinical Fellowship

Trainees must inform their training programme director (TPD) of any interest in an OOP that is currently available for recruitment. Trainees should inform their TPD as early as possible of the proposed start date of the OOP. This will assist the TPD in planning your future training pathway and should also provide enough time for the paperwork to be authorised by the School, College, Deanery and GMC. 6 months notice to Deanery/RCoA/GMC is now mandatory.

You must ensure that the standards and objectives of the training are mapped to appropriate Higher or Advanced units of the CCT (what competencies/Units of Training within the Curriculum will you achieve in this post). Failure to complete this, will result in a delay at the College.

Please read London Deanery OOP guidelines and complete formYou can also obtain the form via your Synapse account. Additonally, please complete this Checklist

A formal personal statement must be written to support all OOP applications.

4 Training Programme Director Approval

Arrange appointment to meet TPD for authorisation of both forms and agreed start date, not within 6 months, unless exceptional circumstances. OOPCs may be possible with shorter lead times.

5 Regional Adviser Approval

Send or email relevant authorised College & Deanery forms (including Checklist to the Regional Adviser and School office with covering letter (via email will suffice).

Email Personal Statement and supporting documentation to School office. This would typically include: job description, formal offer of job, name & contact details of designated supervisor and educational objectives relating to the OOP, this can all be scanned if easier. ALL OOPT requests must contain 'The objectives of the training mapped against the appropriate units of ‘The CCT in Anaesthetics’’

6a OOP Paperwork Sent to College (OOPT/OOPR only)

Providing all paperwork and forms are completed and authorised by the Regional Adviser, the School office will take copies of both College & Deanery forms. The original College form & relevant documentation will be sent to the College for their approval.

Providing all paperwork and forms are completed and authorised by the Regional Adviser, the School office will take copies of the forms. The original Deanery form & relevant documentation will be sent to Deanery Operations Dept for their approval.

7 College Approval (OOPT/OOPR only)

The College will advise the TPD, trainee and School office if approval has been granted. If queries arise, the trainee will be informed directly by the College and it is the trainees responsibility to action these queries, ensuring both the TPD & School office are aware of any delays. Once approval has been granted by the College the paperwork can move to the next phase.

8 OOP Paperwork Sent to Deanery Operations Dept (OOPT/OOPR only)

On receipt of approval letter from College, the trainee should ensure the Operations Dept have received a copy. If not, it is trainee responsibility to send copy of RCoA approval to Operations Dept.

9 Deanery Operations Dept Approval

If the Operations Dept supports the application for OOP it will write to GMC requesting approval. Any queries will be addressed to the trainee directly prior to submitting the paperwork to GMC.

10 GMC Approval (OOPT/R only)

GMC makes its decision and informs the Operations Dept, trainee and College.

11 Initial Paperwork Complete

Trainee to inform School office and TPD that approval has been granted and commencement date of OOP is agreed with TPD.

13 Return to Training

On return to training all trainees completing an OOPT/R are required to submit a report of their training experience, supported by a satisfactory assessment report from their designated supervisor, to the College, Deanery and School. Failure to complete this can result in time not being counted (if appropriate) and a delayed ARCP.

Trainee Reports

There is no set format but typically trainees supply at least a page of A4 which encompasses a general overview of the OOPT/R, what has been achieved, whether they achieved what they set out to – if not then why not, advantages and disadvantages of the OOPT/R, details of research/training/courses undertaken, details of the supervision and whether it was appropriate, details of case mix, and whether they would recommend the OOPT/R to other trainees. There is no set format but these are some of the typical topics that are covered in most OOPT/R reports.

Supervisor Reports

In regards to your supervisors report it generally comes in the format of an appraisal with specific reference to achievements made during your time on OOPT.

Trainees must plan for the final 6 months of their training to be undertaken in the UK.

Only in exceptional circumstances would this period be reduced to a minimum of three months.